Dental Cleaning Codes: The Full CDT Reference
Quick Answer
The dental code for a routine cleaning is D1110 (adult) or D1120 (child). A deep cleaning is D4341 / D4342, and ongoing periodontal maintenance is D4910.
These are ADA CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes, the standardized billing codes your dentist files with insurance and that appear on your Explanation of Benefits. Knowing them helps you read your bill, predict coverage, and spot a miscode.
Cleaning procedure codes
The seven CDT codes that cover every kind of professional teeth cleaning, from a routine prophylaxis to full-mouth debridement.
| Code | Procedure | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| D1110 | Prophylaxis - adultRoutine cleaning for patients 14 and older with healthy gums. Removes plaque, calculus, and stains at or above the gumline. | $75-$200 |
| D1120 | Prophylaxis - childRoutine cleaning for patients under 14, on primary or transitional teeth. Same preventive intent as D1110. | $50-$150 |
| D4341 | Scaling and root planing - 4+ teeth per quadrantDeep cleaning below the gumline for active gum disease, billed per quadrant when four or more teeth are involved. Therapeutic, not preventive. | $150-$350 / quadrant |
| D4342 | Scaling and root planing - 1 to 3 teeth per quadrantThe same deep-cleaning procedure as D4341 but for a quadrant with only one to three teeth affected. Billed per quadrant. | $100-$300 / quadrant |
| D4346 | Scaling for generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammationFull-mouth cleaning for widespread gum inflammation with no bone loss. Sits between a routine prophylaxis and scaling and root planing. | $150-$300 |
| D4355 | Full mouth debridementGross removal of heavy plaque and calculus when buildup blocks a proper exam. A one-time step before diagnosis, followed by re-evaluation 4 to 6 weeks later. | $100-$250 |
| D4910 | Periodontal maintenanceOngoing cleaning after scaling and root planing for patients with a history of gum disease. Every 3 to 4 months for life. Classified as basic, not preventive. | $100-$250 |
Definitions reflect ADA CDT 2026. No cleaning code changed for 2026; the code set is revised annually by the ADA Code Maintenance Committee. Costs are 2026 national-average bands and vary by region and provider. See the methodology for sources.
Codes that appear alongside a cleaning
A cleaning visit is rarely one line on your bill. These exam, X-ray, and fluoride codes commonly share the same Explanation of Benefits.
| Code | Procedure | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| D0150 | Comprehensive oral evaluation | $50-$150 |
| D0120 | Periodic oral evaluation | $25-$75 |
| D0180 | Comprehensive periodontal evaluation | $75-$150 |
| D0210 | Intraoral complete series of X-rays | $100-$250 |
| D0274 | Bitewings - four films | $35-$90 |
| D1206 | Topical fluoride varnish | $20-$50 |
| D1208 | Topical application of fluoride | $20-$50 |
Commonly confused codes
D1110 vs D4910
Both are recurring cleanings, but D1110 is a preventive prophylaxis for healthy gums (usually 100% covered), while D4910 is periodontal maintenance after gum-disease treatment (basic tier, usually 80%). You cannot bill a routine D1110 once a patient is in maintenance; insurers expect D4910. This is the single most common cleaning miscode.
D4341 vs D4342
Both are scaling and root planing per quadrant. The only difference is tooth count: D4341 is four or more teeth in the quadrant, D4342 is one to three teeth. A claim for a full quadrant billed as D4342 is a common denial trigger.
D1110 vs D4341
A prophylaxis (D1110) cleans at or above the gumline for healthy patients; scaling and root planing (D4341) cleans below the gumline to treat active periodontitis. A deep cleaning is not a more thorough routine cleaning, it is a different procedure with a different insurance tier.
D4355 vs D1110
Full-mouth debridement (D4355) is not a cleaning you choose; it clears buildup so the dentist can actually examine and diagnose. The real cleaning (prophylaxis or scaling and root planing) happens at a later visit once the diagnosis is made.